Can a College Be Better than a University?

As students and parents begin to explore higher education options, they may wonder about the difference between colleges and universities. The terms are often used interchangeably, but there can be important differences.

 Some people may think that a college that is only private or that a university is to be publicly funded. Others may believe that the quality of education varies greatly between the two schools. However, the truth is that the difference between the two is difficult to define and will often depend on the particular organization in question.

 Together with Macleay College, an Australian institution of higher education, let's  look at the differences between universities and colleges, and which might be the best fit for you.

What is a College?

In general, colleges are considered to be smaller versions of universities, are often more specialized in the programs offered, and will be more supportive of students than universities.

 They typically offer undergraduate degrees, such as bachelor's and associate's degrees, although some more specialized colleges may offer accelerated two-year bachelor's degrees.

 Universities will also award undergraduate degrees, although they also offer graduate degrees, unlike most colleges. These will sometimes include master's and doctoral degrees while some universities will also maintain in-house specialist schools such as law, medicine or business, where students can work towards a master's degree. a law degree, a medical degree, or an MBA. Since they also tend to be larger than colleges, universities often offer more courses, although this does not necessarily mean that the courses themselves are better, as college faculty it can be much more advantageous to have fewer courses.

 Around the world, terminology associated with higher education institutions can sometimes be a bit complicated. When considering studying abroad, you should keep in mind the differences in the country of your choice.

 For example, in the UK there is a big difference between colleges and universities, but in the US the line between the two is much more blurred and the terms "college" and "university" are often used. replace each other. In Australia, the difference is more pronounced and, as noted earlier, colleges will generally be smaller but more concentrated.

 Macleay College, for example, is a college in Australia, originally established as a higher education provider with a focus on journalism, although it has since expanded its courses to include advertising, digital media, business, marketing and accounting. There are currently two campuses, one in Melbourne and the other in Sydney, Australia.

 Although Macleay fits the college identity of a special education institution, let's see if the rest of what is commonly understood about colleges applies.

The Important Part: Qualifications

The qualifications offered by Macleay, such as Diploma and Bachelor degrees are the same as those offered by the oldest universities in Australia. Course content is considered more up to date and relevant at smaller institutions such as Macleay College.

More astonishingly is that the course length can often be shorter at a college in Australia than at a university. This is true at Macleay College, since they use trimesters rather than semesters, meaning they have three terms each year rather than two. An extra break then, but the terms themselves will be a little more intense, eliminating a lot of the empty space that often plagues full university courses.

There are four topic areas that Macleay's courses cover: Advertising and Digital Media; Business and Marketing; Journalism; and Accounting.

The Advertising and Media courses teach students how to develop and manage creative campaigns across a range of job roles and mediums from print, to TV, radio, podcasting, online, digital and social media. The Digital Media courses train students to create content such as digital photos, online videos, digital marketing campaigns, social media projects, interactive websites and mobile apps for a range of digital and social media platforms.

Their Business and Marketing courses foster entrepreneurial thinking, with a focus on action and experiential learning. Interactive presentations, industry specific case studies, team work, individual assignments, entrepreneurship and small business-related projects stimulate innovative thinking and more effectively develop your potential.

This sets Macleay apart from other courses and allows students to apply their skills in a range of contexts prior to completing the course. Theory is brought to life through work on practical business projects, in addition to work placements in industry.

The media industry demands well trained, digitally savvy journalists that can adapt their skills in an ever-changing landscape. Macleay College’s courses overlay digital reporting skills across the key disciplines of investigative journalism, international journalism, television reporting, audio journalism and photojournalism. Students become working journalists from the first day they step into Macleay. They work on real stories in a real newsroom across all media platforms. Journalism students are taught by industry experts that are up to date with the latest trends and are well connected in the industry.

The business of accounting reaches into every aspect of the world’s economies. It’s the oil that keeps the wheels of business turning. This means the opportunities available to you are almost endless. You might be interested in exploring the world’s best tourist destinations by working for a travel company. You might be interested in the new cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and the impact digital currencies are having. Maybe you’re hoping to look after the books for a fashion design duo which grows into a fashion empire. Or maybe you’d love to be part of the team that launches a bestselling app. Career opportunities in accounting are limited only by your imagination.

Everyone learns in different ways. If you enjoy learning in a more practical hands-on way, you could study Macleay College’s Diploma. Graduating with a Diploma gives you an industry entry-level qualification and just as importantly, it gives you a pathway into a Degree. Graduating with a one-year Diploma means you’re halfway towards a Degree.

Size: Bigger Doesn't Always Mean Better?

The most obvious difference between colleges and universities is  size, both in terms of  physical space and in the number of students enrolled. Australia's largest universities can have between 30,000 and 50,000 students (more or less). Meanwhile, colleges are significantly smaller with numbers often under 1,000.

 Colleges then have a much more intimate learning environment, allowing for more time with your professors (more time spent with tutors and professors increases your chances of completing your graduation). diploma). At Macleay, class sizes are limited to 25, while larger universities can sometimes have  hundreds of students.

 This also means making friends is a little easier  and  can be less frustrating in general, especially when it comes to speaking with speakers and  any other help you may need. All instructors will know their students by name  and can spend time assisting each  student based on their needs.

 It is therefore not surprising that in a recent QILT survey, Macleay ranked much higher in  student experience, engagement and support than many of the oldest and most popular universities. of Australia, such as the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales.

 Teaching style

 One key difference between universities and colleges is the style of teaching.

 Larger universities  often place a heavy burden on students, which is not a bad thing, as it can encourage independent learning. But there can often be a steep learning curve for some students, especially coming from high schools, where students  simply take their jobs and are monitored and supported for most. progress. In college, having to create a work schedule  (and stick to it) while  getting used to  new surroundings and friends, perhaps even learning a new language, can be overwhelming. difficult.

 Macleay College is proud to hire industry expert teachers who develop innovative courses that focus on project-based learning with hands-on experience and active education.

 Because colleges are smaller, this can mean courses like those found in high schools, while retaining much of the independence needed to succeed at a college. larger university. To use Macleay as an example  again, the teaching style is very practical. Programs built around assessments, projects, real-world summaries, and teamwork, which reflect the projects a person will have to undertake in the workplace,  can be much more useful than with the less realistic teaching style offered at the university.

 Some examples might be working on a social media campaign where you are expected to provide photos of yourself; to create your own  concept and shoot TV commercials; start your own business; or to write an investigative report.

 At Macleay, you'll also work with real clients, from startups to large corporations. Over the past year, Macleay students have worked on campaigns for RUOK, the Australian Institute of Exercise and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

 Again, while colleges often let students fend for themselves, Macleay puts more effort into leading its students to  success.

 Internships are not always required at universities, but internships are available at many colleges. Every  Macleay College student completes an internship as part of their course. With many entry-level roles that require a certain level of experience, an internship will set you apart from other applicants.

 They also work on live industry press conferences and meet with leaders in their industry,  allowing them to develop current industry skills. The results of this are evident in the QILT results - Macleay College received 91.1% for skills development, while the national average was 81% And none of this is at the cost of teaching quality either. For 2017, Macleay College was well above the national average for overall quality of educational experience. Macleay College received 90.5%, well above the national average of 80.9% for teaching quality.

Finding the Right College for You

There is a tendency, when students are applying for international courses, to disregard colleges and instead focus solely on universities. We hope that this article has allowed you to see colleges differently and how they can be of far more use to you than a stay at a university.

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